That is such a beautiful tranquil pic Arks, would love to just sit there for a while. I'm afraid to say the S90 is a road that I'm not very familiar with, so can't help with your query. Hope you get an answer soon.

Thanks, Elsa! It may have changed a lot in 20 years, as when I drove that road last year, I didn't find anything much like what's in the pic. Those floods in 2000 "re-arranged" certain favourite spots quite a bit But I'm hoping that someone with a long memory might recognise this spot. Watery places also change depending upon rains/drought — consider what can happen with Ngotso Weir

hi Arks, I travel the S90 fairly often as it is part of my favourite route when staying at Satara. From the picture it looks like it could be one of two places. i.e. Where the Mavumbye crosses the road or a bit further on there is another stream which I do not have the name of.
Just by the way I have had good experiences on this road which include Cheetah, lion, rhino, buffalo and even a large python. For my money this is the best road to spot cheetah as the vegetation is ideal. This is in contrast to what many guide books say about this road!.

adw wrote:hi Arks, I travel the S90 fairly often as it is part of my favourite route when staying at Satara. From the picture it looks like it could be one of two places. i.e. Where the Mavumbye crosses the road or a bit further on there is another stream which I do not have the name of.Just by the way I have had good experiences on this road which include Cheetah, lion, rhino, buffalo and even a large python. For my money this is the best road to spot cheetah as the vegetation is ideal. This is in contrast to what many guide books say about this road!.

Thanks adw and robertson! I'd "remembered" it as being nearer to Bangu, so may not have noted the Mavumbye water crossing, which appears to be 'across' from Gudzani Dam? I'll be sure to pay better attention next time I drive the S90

Just want some input regarding which will be the most rewarding in terms of game viewing and scenery when traveling from Letaba to Satara... Note that it probably will be around 8-9 am when we will be traveling this road

dotdan, that is a difficult question. As you have seen, each and very one has a favorite road. We might advice on the tar road and when you get to camp, ppl will tell you about the wonderful sightings they had on the gravel or vice versa. I would suggest you wait until you are there, check the sightings boards and then make your decision.

Yes i always change my mind when i am there as you get influenced by sightings and other people's sights

I have driven the h1-4 manny a times and have always had good sightings, but want to know if the s90 has got something diff to offer in terms of scenery... it is a bit longer drive and want to know if it is worth it?

OK...you wanted my opinion, well you will get it Lets get one thing straight, I may be going to step on some toes here, it IS all about personal preference and experience and so on, but I think that is a little bit over-emphasized lately, as some people just want to know about others experience etc....Really no offence meant here, just my personal opinion!

I would say, my preference is definately the H1-4! First of all, it has 6 waterholes ( including Ngotso, quite a good place for hippo's), compared to the s90's 2. Secondly, I have done the s90 three times in July.... and I saw a huge baboon (biggest I've ever seen), a giraffe @ bangu and 2 elephant in the distance. The H1-4 has produced rhino's on 3 occasion, and every visitor @ Satara will notice that rhino's are not very common there, aswell as a leopard, lions and loads of buffalo, kudu and a honeybadger!

One thing I admit, I personally think the s90 from the H1-4 up to Gudzani east waterhole is pretty good, saw loads of animals there, but the piece upwards I find bumpy and a bit silent. Bangu is rated as a good waterhole, so maybe other can prove me wrong!

Last edited by G@mespotter on Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Ok, now Im home and have my map book infront of me...when you mentioned the S90 from Letaba to Satara I had one road in mind...but, there are several roads to get to the S90...once again IMHO, I would take the S46 as is runs along the river, depending on water at that time, then continue on the S93 to Olifants, have a nice breakfast overlooking the river....then continue on the
S92 to Balule and only then onto the S90 or as Gamespotter said, use the H1-4 from the S89 as you do have the waterholes...I can still remember some video being taken at Ngotso of a hippo being attack by lion...not sure when, saw it on "you tube"...but apart from the water holes IMHO again, not much happening on this road..also depending on your time, I would turn off the H1-4 onto the S127, go pass Piet Grobler Dam onto the S39 (I had some awesome sightings there of a lion chase) and onto Timbavati for a pitstop...then onto the S40 a sundowner at Nsemani Dam and 9km later you at Satara.....(Just wish my planning will go like this....unfortunately not...the first road I see, I want to go on.....much to my SO's dissapointment....maybe I should listen to him )